Family Reunions 101 - What are Family Reunions and Why Are They Important
What are family reunions? Why have a family reunion? Why are family reunions important?
Each family reunion is about much more than just seeing relatives. It is a ‘gathering of generations.’ Family reunions bring together members of the family from 0 years to 10 plus years in one place on one particular date. It could be an annual event (most families follow this) or just one-off celebration of family fun. Whatever way you look at it a family reunion is a great way to go back to your roots. Family reunions are a fun way to get acquainted with long lost relatives or senior members of your family. And large extended families get an opportunity to meet each other at family reunions for the very first time. Often those you meet at these gathering have extraordinary tales to tell that you never even dreamt of!
A reunion is also a great time to have a meal together, discuss stories and just have plain simple fun. It is great to plan for a family reunion, but don’t plan it too rigid or formal, especially if it is the first family reunion- give lot of ‘free time’ and don’t cram it with must do items for every minute of the whole programme. Often the idea is to just provide each individual member of the family some time to get to know each other. Some old people may just like to observe in silence or just to hold hands with loving grandchildren whom they are meeting –perhaps for the first time. So give them the space and time to enjoy and bask in the experience.
Okay, you agree that it is indeed a great idea to have a family reunion. But how do you go about it? Start with the obvious and spread the word around. Act immediately on the enthusiastic response you receive from the family members who love your idea. Don’t worry about lukewarm responses – they will eventually come around and maybe even have the most fun. Take a positive approach and start with a limited but enthusiastic number of family members. Set a date, send out a few feelers for first though – holidays and weekends are great times for having a family get together. Remember, it is not possible to accommodate everyone’s schedule, just choose the best date agreeable to most members whom you plan to invite. Whichever date you fix, stick to it and don’t deviate. If you do it will just confuse people.
The next step is to select a place to have your grand reunion. If it is a popular place that you have in mind or a quaint old place, which has special significance to your family, then be sure to see if the date you have chosen is ideal. Make sure that the venue can accommodate you at that time and make sure that you book way in advance. Do a weather check as well if it is going to be an outdoor event. We don’t want to infuriate granny over your poor choice of venue on her first day out in five years!
Do you really need a theme for your family reunion? Yes and no. Yes it is easy to coordinate and organize around a goal or a theme, no if you feel it is superficial. It depends on your outlook and most importantly, the ‘members’ outlook. But if you do have a great theme, it is guaranteed to double the fun! If it is your first family reunion, it is a great idea to pick the collective brains of 2nd and 3rd generations on possible themes they may have some great ideas that you can pirate! They will be more than happy to contribute I am sure.
The importance of family reunion can never be overstressed in this age of nuclear families. There is no other better way to renew old relationships and establish new ones. It is a golden opportunity to introduce the younger generation to the older generation –whose legacy you are proud of. Show off by sharing exclusive family secrets that you have unearthed with other members of the family. You will often end up with newer versions of ‘history’! Go ahead you can be part of creating your own unique family history!
The sharing, the warmth and love that you experience during family reunions are priceless. The memories of your family reunion will linger longer in your mind that you’ll wonder why you never thought of it earlier! You owe it to your family and you owe it to yourself so have a family reunion today without delay!